Andreas Gehm – Yellow Flower [BM005]

Andreas Gehm is known for his fierce, unapologetic acid style. But the Cologne man does have a more mellow side, a smoother side, and that’s what this three tracker is. Of course, smooth Gehm still has some rough edges. “Yellow Flowers” combines thick pads, skittering beats, warming samples and frigid bars in an intoxicating brew. Malice and menace rear their ashen faces for the evil machinations of “Late At Night”, muffled vocals and sharpened snares glinting in the streetlights. Safety arrives in the form of the aptly titled “Less Violence.” Rhythms are still rough edged, melodies still have an underhanded element. Yet there is a subdued humanity in the sweetened strings, emotion coming to a head as the needle runs out.